Oscar Waldemar Christensen

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire

Date/Time of Incident:
Tuesday, May 11, 1897

Incident to Death Duration:
Same day

Incident Location:
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway yards, South Bend

Incident County:
St. Joseph

Incident Township:
Portage

Weapon Used:
.44-caliber handgun

Suspect Disposition:
Acquitted

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Patrolman
Oscar Waldemar Christensen
South Bend Police Department
Tuesday, May 11, 1897

Panel 29W, Line 5

Panel L23, Line 9

Patrolman Oscar Christensen was shot and killed while investigating vandalism in the rail yards on the city's west side.

As a Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway detective was arresting some hobos, several shots were fired. When Patrolman Christensen approached, he was commanded by the railroad detective to halt and after failing to do so, he was struck by a bullet fired from the railroad detective's revolver and died a short time later.

The 36-year-old railroad detective was charged with murder but after three trials in a change of venue to LaPorte County, he was later acquitted of manslaughter by a jury.

Patrolman Christensen was survived by his wife.

Historical Note

• This line of duty death incident is one of four in which the offender was a law enforcement officer.

Personal Details

Age: 33

Law Enforcement Service:

Burial Place:
City Cemetery, South Bend